Today, I signed into law House Bill 2386 (Bill), which modifies the definition for teacher to be used throughout Title 70. The Bill greatly extends the current definition of teacher. The intent of this Bill is for the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma to clearly define the monetary credit for certain employees listed in the definition of "teacher" against their employee contributions to the Teachers' Retirement System. As I continue to support a pay raise for classroom teachers, it is my expectation that for the purpose of any future teacher pay increase, the definition of teacher shall be limited to reflect only persons conducting classroom instruction or intervention programs for students. The broad definition created in HB 2386 should only be used when processing benefits for the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma. I THEREFORE STRONGLY URGE that this definition only be used for the Teachers' Retirement System. This Executive Order shall be distributed to the Superintendent of Public Instruction and members of the State Board of Education, who shall cause the provisions of this Order to be implemented. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma to be affixed at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this 8th day of June, 2017. BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA Mary Fallin Dave Lopez Secretary of State
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[Source: Added at 34 Ok Reg 583, eff 6-8-17] |